There Are Other Circumstances Related to the Incident, That’s Why I Am Here: Gegharkunik Regional Prosecutor

I am not the one who should be held accountable for the fire incident at the military unit, because the investigation has been initiated and is being examined by the Military Prosecutor's Office. This was stated today, January 19, during a conversation with reporters at the site of the tragic fire in the barracks of military unit N located in the area of Azat village, by the Gegharkunik regional prosecutor Rafael Yeritsyan.

“We also have cases related to our part, and that’s why we are at the scene. I am the regional prosecutor, but this particular proceeding does not concern me; therefore, I am not the one who should provide explanations about the incident or present any details to the public,” said the prosecutor.

Yeritsyan stated that there are other circumstances related to the incident in the region: “That’s why I am here, but what exactly they are will remain for later. No other facts have emerged, it relates to the incident, which may also involve me in some capacity, meaning not military.”

It should be recalled that on January 19, around 01:30, a fire broke out in the barracks of the engineering battalion of the Armenian Ministry of Defense’s military unit N located in the area of Azat village in Gegharkunik province. As a result of the fire, 15 soldiers lost their lives, and 7 soldiers were injured, four of whom were discharged after receiving medical assistance, while 3 were transferred to Yerevan's National Burn Center. The condition of two of them is assessed as critical.

Immediately following the incident, the commander of the 2nd Army Corps and 7 other senior military officials were dismissed from their posts. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a government meeting that a soldier poured gasoline on a stove, and after the fire engulfed him, out of